Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS have announced plans to merge, positioning the new entity as one of the largest North American distributors of janitorial, sanitation, foodservice and packaging products with more than $10 billion in annual revenue and more than 13,500 employees. The deal is pending regulatory approval, and both companies will continue to operate independently until the expected closing in the coming months. The deal will combine the companies' distribution networks, significantly expanding their geographic presence across North America with more than 125 facilities.

Cargo imports at US ports fell a larger-than-expected 8.4% year-over-year in June, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker from NRF and Hackett Associates, which is forecasting a 5.6% decline in full-year cargo volumes compared to 2024. The decrease was sharper than NRF's previous forecast and reflects retailers' concerns over shifting tariff policies. "While this forecast is still preliminary, it shows the impact the tariffs and the administration's trade policy are having on the supply chain," said Jonathan Gold, NRF's supply chain and customs policy vice president. "Tariffs are beginning to drive up consumer prices, and fewer imports will eventually mean fewer goods on store shelves."

The roofing industry is bracing for the impact of President Donald Trump's new tariffs, which have raised average tariff rates to their highest level since the Great Depression. The tariffs include a universal 10% on imports, 15% on imports from 40 countries with trade deficits with the US and 50% on steel, aluminum and copper. Roofing contractors are facing rising material costs and potential delays, while suppliers such as BlueLinx are passing on the costs to customers.

Coupa has introduced the Tariff Impact Planning app to help companies manage the complexities of global trade and tariffs amid rising geopolitical tensions. The app, part of Coupa's Supply Chain Solutions, offers tools for tariff optimization, duty drawback analysis and scenario modeling, enabling businesses to quickly respond to policy changes.

Supplier diversity has evolved into a strategic imperative offering business continuity, sustainability and digital resilience, writes Matthew Buckingham of Amazon Business. A diverse supplier network helps companies navigate systemic disruptions, minimize overreliance on single-source suppliers and advance sustainability goals through proximity sourcing, but Buckingham cautions against the "Frankenstein effect" of adding suppliers without a cohesive strategy.

Amid rising tariffs and trade tensions, foreign-trade zones are gaining popularity as a means of managing costs and mitigating volatility, writes Jackson Wood of supply chain software company Descartes. FTZs allow businesses to defer duty payments, improve cash flow and optimize supply chains. However, setting up an FTZ requires significant investment and ongoing compliance.

AI has become integral to marketing strategies, with 73% of companies using generative AI to create content, but the quality of this content can decline if not managed properly. Marketers are encouraged to use AI as an assistant, write for semantic search, create short-form videos, optimize for visual and voice search, create interactive experiences, engage with microcommunities, diversify content distribution channels and create strategic budgets, writes Forsta's Chelsea Alves.

Taking a moment for silent reflection is more important than ever in the age of AI, writes Reza Zahedi, the founder of Leadtainment, who encourages leaders to look beyond the metrics. "Your real advantage is knowing when to trust your gut, when to challenge the machine and when to show up fully for important decisions," Zahedi writes.

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